Deciding that a day is not enough to commemorate World Wetlands Day, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has planned a series of events this weekend to create awareness about the importance of conserving wetlands.
At a Flamingo Watch at the Sewri mudflats on February 4, BNHS experts will educate participants on wetlands as an exclusive habitat for freshwater aquatic birds such as the flamingos.
The next day, the BNHS Conservation Education Centre will hold a middle- school level quiz competition, which will include questions about national and global issues related to wetlands.
Also, on Sunday morning, a World Wetlands Day nature trail will be organised at Elephanta Island (Gharapuri).
World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year to commemorate a global convention held on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran, recognising the need to protect wetland habitats. India is one of the signatories to the Ramsar treaty.Water pollution, dumping of waste and debris, reclamation, weed infestation and poaching are some of the major threats to wetlands and aquatic birds in the country.
To register for the Flamingo Watch or the quiz competition, call BNHS CEC at 95949 53425/29107.
To sign up for the nature trail at Elephanta Island, call Hornbill House 22871202/ 22821811 or e-mail bnhs.programmes@gmail.com.
Registration fees range from Rs100 to Rs150.
Comments